Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 15
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE
TALK FROM THE TOP
Market shift
Lexus Europe exec predicts rapid sales rise from hybrid-heavy lineup
L
exus Europe's decision to offer a hybrid version of every model it sells
has helped to nearly double the Toyota
subsidiary's volume to 75,000 units in
the last three years. Lexus Europe boss
Alain Uyttenhoven said nearly all those
models were equipped with a gasolineelectric powertrain. He expects this
hybrid-heavy lineup to push Lexus's
European volume to 100,000 before
2020. Uyttenhoven explained why to
Automotive News Europe Correspondent Andrea Malan.
Has Lexus Europe's reliance on fullhybrids been beneficial in the wake
of Volkswagen Group's diesel-cheating scandal?
Maybe the time of hybrids has come.
Three years ago, Lexus was selling 40,000
cars in Europe, we are now selling 75,000
and before 2020 we plan to reach 100,000
sales [in Europe including Turkey and Russia]. The plan was laid out before the diesel
scandal so I feel more and more confident
we will reach our targets.
Can Lexus reach that target with such
a heavy reliance on hybrids or will you
need to add different powertrains and
more models to your mix?
Hybrid tech will not do the job alone. We
will have additional products that will
help us enter new segments. That will
help us exceed 100,000 sales.
Does your product expansion include
a model below the CT compact sedan?
While I can't discuss our future products, that is the natural direction for every manufacturer now. It's difficult to go
much bigger than the LX (large SUV sold
in Russia, the U.S. and Middle East). In
Western Europe, I don't think we would
go much smaller than our current lineup,
but there are many niches that are growing that we could enter.
Will you add another crossover?
That's one of the options, but for more
information on this additional model you
will have to wait until next year's Geneva
auto show.
Will Lexus launch a full-electric vehicle to challenge Tesla?
2017
In Partnership with
We are working on that. I've read what
our friends at Volkswagen announced
at this year's Frankfurt auto show: a
multi-billion-euro investment [in 80
electric vehicles by 2025]. We at Toyota don't make big announcements. Our
strategy is to present the vehicle and
say, Voila!
Why is the company less than enthusiastic about battery-electric vehicles?
There are several issues still to be
solved. First, if all carmakers go after
the same precious metal, lithium, we
will hit a wall. Therefore, the car industry will probably need alternative raw
materials. Second, no matter what our
competitors' plans are, the infrastructure for recharging the batteries will not
be there in five years. I'm waiting for the
infrastructure. To sum it up, the future is
electric but the evolution will be much
slower than many believe.
Is it just a matter of infrastructure?
No, the success of electric
cars will also depend on
factors such as how many
kilograms [of batteries] you
want to put in your car.
Should it be 300, 400 kilos
for a decent range? What will
the residual value be after
eight years? Who will want
to pay the cost of replacing
the batteries? All these problems need to be solved for
the technology to take off.
We also need to be there at
the right time.
Bio box
❚ N
AME: Alain
Uyttenhoven
❚ T
ITLE: Toyota Europe
Vice President & Head
of Lexus Europe
❚ AGE: 56
❚ M
AIN CHALLENGE:
Increasing Lexus's
European sales to
100,000 before 2020.
Are you doubting your competitors'
announcements?
My answer to all the hype about electric
cars is that 99.5 percent of the cars we
sell today are "electric."
Toyota has a hydrogen-powered fuel
cell vehicle. When will Lexus have a
fuel cell vehicle of its own?
Hydrogen is one of the technologies we
are working on. Its biggest advantage is
the short refueling time, which is comparable with a gasoline car. I guess there
will be a market for hydrogen-powered
cars, but we at Lexus don't have one because our cars need more power than is
available now from fuel cells.
Is Toyota losing money on the fuel
cell vehicles it produces?
I can tell you that hydrogen today is not
more profitable than the Prius was 20
years ago. We are also investing in new
technologies such as alternative batteries. Then we could have a chance of at
least breaking even on the investment.
A company like us is too big to subsi-
www.autonewseurope.com
15
http://www.autonewseurope.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement
Contents
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 1
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 2
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - Contents
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 4
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 5
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 6
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 7
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 8
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 9
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 10
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 11
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 12
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 13
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 14
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 15
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 16
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 17
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 18
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 19
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 20
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 21
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 22
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 23
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 24
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 25
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 26
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 27
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 28
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 29
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 30
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 31
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 32
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 33
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 34
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 35
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 36
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 37
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 38
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 39
Automotive News Europe - December 2017 - Talk from the Top Supplement - 40
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_3495899034GGYMR
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_9320328934TYHUG
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7900358122IMGRO
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_3330853029TRYKS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7603992185JJOMR
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_9952380791TKMND
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_5963340912YTMVC
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_9085020498DOMCR
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7569349232HGWST
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8394843321MIRSB_supp
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8394843321MIRSB
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7830554918KRPMY
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_risingstars2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_3258093390ITWPM
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_5392044910YTVMM
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4903750143RTEM
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8945903036KOPLM
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4950209328USKEJ
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7390430940MNSWA
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7390430940MNSWA_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8230453971TKYMU
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7837465743WEMSH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7833672917YBMPD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_9088748726YCPLE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/carcutaways_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8597213481CWFVW
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_2482974147IFSFU
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8305986869KNPMS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_0614201113IJPIA
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8994679032WJPLU
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_5968336988ILNYJ
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_1997227797LUMBD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4215263985SSIAG
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4215263985SSIAG_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_9685235478RMUTM
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7982651231IRTQN
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_9762539875TSICT
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_5689715482IENCS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_3746259086NJIUT
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_3746259086NJIUT_supp
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_6647392641QIRBD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_1850001440JWORG
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_5574194871YIURI
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/hyundaisupp2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4475234219PTTGU
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4475234219PTTGU_supp
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7756553946DFERT
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7565421232JJRPR
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_2587741235HJMYR
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4125411029LPFDS_supp
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8565758324ZKFSK
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7578531577POYML
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_9343287619LWSSX_supp
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8578612319JPCLK
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_9856230144DRBGW
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_5895292377LGMAK
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4859913266JPCLG
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_risingstars2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_3403462342JDFLS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4687134234ASBSE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4687134234ASBSE_supp
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_1324623495GSAPP_supp
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_1324623495GSAPP
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7076604777NWYOQ
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_2309428300SPGDS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_1982756473HYRDS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_2057203582WPGHS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_9635969361GPSUS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_2983710392PASLY
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_9274028472PSHGR
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7844698254RFBML
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_3566392684GBCRP
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_risingstars2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7746982457HCTBV
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8466734982WRVBP
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8944557823RVMTM
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4663872983MNCFG
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8935549241RNBCW
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_9566378724RTBNK
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_1598742103YTHGS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_6449829678HCRRM
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8433098135TBSPR
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_1988430922ECNBM
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4635855310KGBRY
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7735666492FWXZT
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4498823511WNCGH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8944367792DCMBT
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_2553977513GBCWD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_1665498825FVBCR
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4667099235GBWXD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7844098824RBCKL
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8944652092BCTRF
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_5421893221KYPFV
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8944763097HBPSR
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7589445092GBMCT
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8971256849SUEQH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_risingstars2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7485663908JMPSU
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8946673098UVPLS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_1099378253HVLPH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8946773099BHWDC
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8944609227HCTRP
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4899309227HWULX
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7800409927YNCBD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_4667330227HCQWE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_8933092287HCMPL
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_975313566GYNDE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_7550448339HVNCN
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/autonews_europe_201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_frankfurt2011_pocketguide
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_20110222
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane_20100922
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane7844055693GVCCB
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane2662304498QXXVB
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane7510059135PBCCV
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane5600731098XCVXB
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/ane7985331807SCBCS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/autonews_europe_20081208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crain/autonews_europe_nxtd
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com